Ma Liqian: The Evolution of a Versatile Screen Talent
From her earliest days as a child actor to becoming a powerhouse in modern Chinese cinema and television, Ma has built a career defined by versatility and critical acclaim. Her journey is marked by a transition from supporting roles in family-connected projects to leading performances in high-budget dramas and award-winning films.
Key Facts
- Early Start: Began acting at age seven in The Winter of Three Persons.
- Major Accolades: Won the Golden Phoenix Award for Best Newcomer (2012) and shared a Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress for Soul Mate.
- Commercial Success: Starred in You Are My Hero, which surpassed 1.35 billion views on Tencent.
- Versatility: Has spanned genres including crime action, military-medical romance, and coming-of-age cinema.
1995–2014: The Formative Years
Ma's entry into the entertainment industry happened at a remarkably young age. Starting at seven, she appeared in The Winter of Three Persons. By 2001, she was starring in The Grand Mansion Gate, appearing alongside her aunt, the established actress Jiang Wenli.
Her public profile grew significantly when she served as the cover model for Rao Xueman's novel Joy & Sorrow. This visibility transitioned into television success when she took a lead role in the series Lover, directed by Shen Yan and based on the novel Daddy, I have your baby. Her early dedication to the craft was formally recognized in 2012, when she received the Golden Phoenix Award for Best Newcomer for her role in the film Time Flies Soundlessly.
2015–Present: Rising Popularity and Critical Acclaim
The mid-2010s marked a turning point in Ma's career. She achieved widespread recognition in the coming-of-age film The Left Ear, directed by Alec Su. Her portrayal of the rebellious character "Li Bala" earned her critical praise and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the prestigious Golden Horse Awards.
Following this success, she expanded her reach into crime dramas with Love Me If You Dare, starring alongside Wallace Huo. In 2016, she ventured into the adventure genre with Time Raiders, a film based on the popular tomb-raiding novel series Daomu Biji.
Ma continued to collect accolades in 2016 with the romance film Soul Mate. Playing a rebellious youth, she shared the Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress with co-star Zhou Dongyu. Her momentum continued into 2017, where she took a female lead role in Tsui Hark's third Detective Dee installment and starred in the campus romance Nuts.
Between 2018 and 2019, Ma diversified her portfolio further. She appeared in the crime action drama Age of Legends with William Chan and joined the cast of the variety show Who's the Keyman. Her cinematic range was further showcased in Lou Ye's crime film The Shadow Play, Rao Xueman's romance Somewhere Winter, and Ann Hui's period romance Love After Love. She also appeared in the comedy drama Mr. Fighting alongside Deng Lun.
In recent years, Ma has reached new heights of commercial popularity. In 2021, she starred as a doctor in the military-medical romance You Are My Hero opposite Bai Jingting. The series became a massive hit, ranking first on Tencent and garnering over 1.35 billion views. She later appeared in the youth drama film Wild Grass.
Career Milestone Summary
| Year | Project | Role/Achievement | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Time Flies Soundlessly | Best Newcomer (Golden Phoenix Award) | Film |
| 2015 | The Left Ear | Nominated Best Supporting Actress (Golden Horse) | Coming-of-age |
| 2016 | Soul Mate | Best Leading Actress (Golden Horse Award) | Romance |
| 2021 | You Are My Hero | Lead Role (1.35B+ views) | Military-Medical Romance |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ma start her acting career?
Ma began acting at the age of seven with a role in the production The Winter of Three Persons.
Which role earned her a Golden Horse Award?
Ma won the Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress for her performance as a rebellious girl in the 2016 romance film Soul Mate, an award she shared with Zhou Dongyu.
What is Ma's most viewed project on Tencent?
The 2021 military-medical romance drama You Are My Hero is her most viewed project on the platform, achieving over 1.35 billion views and ranking first.
Who is Jiang Wenli in relation to Ma?
Jiang Wenli is Ma's aunt; the two starred together in early projects including The Winter of Three Persons and The Grand Mansion Gate.
What was the significance of the film The Left Ear?
The Left Ear brought Ma wider recognition and critical acclaim for her role as "Li Bala," leading to a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Golden Horse Awards.